Was 38 summers ago... May of '72, just before Memorial Day that year. A punk kid was coming home from the army... and had his head screwed on all kinds of wrong...
The Dream he had just then was to take a New Motorcycle... and make a ride on the ALCAN to Homer, Alaska... Solo... and points beyond... for as long as it took... to to get his head screwed back on right... a true case of hungering for the Healing Power of the Open Road.
Well... that summer... that 19 year old kid got ambushed and the Dream he'd held got blown away... followed by one summer after another... of events and life conspiring... with his acquiescence... to keep him from making that ride... and pursuing its' purpose... 'till now, that kid is a puss gut, bald headed, 57 year old... grumpy ol' Cowboy Biker...Still... harboring that same, treasured Dream...
The events in my world... over the last year or so... have pushed that old Dream... back to the forefront... and has the "Kid" ever more needful of that Healing Journey.
Now... this next part... right here... is likely to stir up a storm amongst "Some" folks... close around me... :o)
But... With the agreement and support of my Lady... It's my intention to Roll that Red, Star Raider Motorcycle, SOLO, up that Ribbon of Highway that separates... Homer Alaska on the Kenai... and Fort Collins, Colorado... taking at least a month... and maybe a few days more...
There's things in the way this year... just like all those past... but... You know what? I am tee total... completely, 100% weary of all the crap obstructing my road... THIS YEAR by God! THIS YEAR.
That Bike and I are makin' this run... or... whooooeee... there's likely to be some noise... :o)
The Lady and the Cowboy are planning on rolling our rig to Ouray for a couple weeks in late July... then back to the Front Range... from where I'm planning to put my Knees in the Wind, long about the 25th of July... running that Ribbon of Highway North! :o)
This is not intended to be a luxury resort ride. I'll be using few motels... My camps will be made, as opportunity presents and the road reveals, likely spots along the way... There is no hurry... no real schedule or plan... Just ride... and breathe... and LIVE.
It is also not intended as an Iron Butt endurance test... there will be few four or five hundred mile days... if any.
My Hope and desire, which is difficult, if not impossible to explain... is to engage the intangible, yet Plain as Day Real, Healing Power of the Open Road... to help my head "capture" an elusive "Thing" its' been chasing since that 19 year old kid came home. Its been right there, I could always feel it... yet it evades me, just out of reach, and has, for all these years...
Yet, that "Thing", always feels so much closer, still just out of reach... when I'm on that bike... with the Wind in my face...
What I'm riding to achieve... is to, once and for all, run hard enough, long enough, in that way that can't be explained, to catch up and shine a light into a darkness I've carried around... to put down a burden of which I'm weary.
... and so... another example of why "You don't find motorcycles parked in front of a psychiatrists office!" :o)
Grab Your Handles and Ride!
Brian
Return to the Home page of Motorcycle Touring on Freedom Road
Visit our sister site goin' RV Boondocking
Share your stories and opinions;
*Tell us Which you think is the... The Best Touring Motorcycle
*Share... Your Personal Motorcycle Philosophy with us!
*Tell us about your... Great Motorcycle Roads
... Splitting the wind on a Motorcycle... Feeding my soul with the Healing power of the Open Road... following that twisting, Ribbon of Highway that leads me on...
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
First "Test" Tour on the Raider
Heidi and I just finished a 2+ day, 500 mile test "scoot" on the Raider... and for me... that Star Motorcycle has proven its mettle as a good base for a Touring Motorcycle... and soon to be... with a few more accessories and bits... my Best Touring Motorcycle...
We rode like we like to travel... Let them Iron Butt fellas see how much they can endure... we prefer to go a couple hundred miles a day... stoppin' along the way to smell the roses a bit...
Climbed over Cameron Pass, Rabbit Ears Pass, the grade up to the Eisenhower tunnel, and Vail Pass... Rode through the cold and snow on top... and the warm down in the Valleys... hitting too many digits on the speedometer, on Rabbit Ears pass to really "Please" herself... :o) ... and still the fuel Mileage exceeded what Yamaha/Star rates it at... (which I'm assuming is figured on a solo rider)
Both seats... the factory drivers seat... and the Bitchn Stitchn custom passenger seat... proved comfortable for miles and hours, in the saddle.
I was wonderin' how the posture I sit in would "wear"... after riding hours, Splittin' the Wind... and I gotta say... No Complaints... My arms, shoulders back and butt... were just fine... NO... Complaints! ... Sweet! ... so... I'm thinkin' my plans to change out the handle bars for a bit more pullback... are on the back burner... I have an appointment at Bitchn Stitchn to recover the front seat... and add a gel pad...
I'll wait to see how that all rides... before I do anything else with handlebars or such.
The only Black Cloud on the whole trip was a lil' didoe... just north of Walcott. We'd pulled into an "overlook" to watch some people doin' Zip Line traverses... across a lil' canyon... the ground in that overlook was all rough, humped up and badly uneven...
Not sure what exactly happened... but the end result was... my foot slipped and that top heavy Red Beauty... leaned over pretty hard, comin' down on the left drivers peg...
Took me 'bout 10 miles to figure out that it was busted... It got pretty clear... when the sucker fell off! :o)
So... pulling out that fancy Droid "Smartphone" I'm carryin' now... I located a Yamaha Dealer back 50 miles or so, up the Interstate... that offered to sell me a foot peg off a brand new Raider, sitting on their showroom floor.
I suppose for a kid... riding 50 miles or better, with your left foot hangin'... would be no big deal... and it wasnt' for me either... till long about 40 miles... I gotta tell you... that sucker started gettin' heavy! Tryin' to keep it off the pavement, got to be work! :o)
But... the guys at Silverthorne Power Sports took good care of me... Let me buy that peg off their New Bike... and then discounted a shirt 40% to boot! :o) Awesome... So... if you're ever in the Silverthorne area... on a Yamaha... and need some help... give 'em a ring... they might be able to keep you rolling too!
What I did learn from the trip was... My Raider is going to serve me just as superbly as I thought it would... for Motorcycle Touring the way I want to roll... Especially, once I get the Custom Saddle Bag mounts for it completed... and get the Saddle Bags Mounted!...
I'll also be shopping around for a small... to medium sized tail pack... to sit on that tail rack I added a couple weeks ago...
... 'cause... I'm workin' hard at tryin' to get her set up... for a mid summer run (end of July) to... ALASKA!
Suh-Wheet! :o)
Grab Your Handles and Ride!
Brian
Return to the Home page of Motorcycle Touring on Freedom Road
Visit our sister site goin' RV Boondocking
Share your stories and opinions;
*Tell us Which you think is the... The Best Touring Motorcycle
*Share... Your Personal Motorcycle Philosophy with us!
*Tell us about your... Great Motorcycle Roads
We rode like we like to travel... Let them Iron Butt fellas see how much they can endure... we prefer to go a couple hundred miles a day... stoppin' along the way to smell the roses a bit...
Climbed over Cameron Pass, Rabbit Ears Pass, the grade up to the Eisenhower tunnel, and Vail Pass... Rode through the cold and snow on top... and the warm down in the Valleys... hitting too many digits on the speedometer, on Rabbit Ears pass to really "Please" herself... :o) ... and still the fuel Mileage exceeded what Yamaha/Star rates it at... (which I'm assuming is figured on a solo rider)
Both seats... the factory drivers seat... and the Bitchn Stitchn custom passenger seat... proved comfortable for miles and hours, in the saddle.
I was wonderin' how the posture I sit in would "wear"... after riding hours, Splittin' the Wind... and I gotta say... No Complaints... My arms, shoulders back and butt... were just fine... NO... Complaints! ... Sweet! ... so... I'm thinkin' my plans to change out the handle bars for a bit more pullback... are on the back burner... I have an appointment at Bitchn Stitchn to recover the front seat... and add a gel pad...
I'll wait to see how that all rides... before I do anything else with handlebars or such.
The only Black Cloud on the whole trip was a lil' didoe... just north of Walcott. We'd pulled into an "overlook" to watch some people doin' Zip Line traverses... across a lil' canyon... the ground in that overlook was all rough, humped up and badly uneven...
Not sure what exactly happened... but the end result was... my foot slipped and that top heavy Red Beauty... leaned over pretty hard, comin' down on the left drivers peg...
Took me 'bout 10 miles to figure out that it was busted... It got pretty clear... when the sucker fell off! :o)
So... pulling out that fancy Droid "Smartphone" I'm carryin' now... I located a Yamaha Dealer back 50 miles or so, up the Interstate... that offered to sell me a foot peg off a brand new Raider, sitting on their showroom floor.
I suppose for a kid... riding 50 miles or better, with your left foot hangin'... would be no big deal... and it wasnt' for me either... till long about 40 miles... I gotta tell you... that sucker started gettin' heavy! Tryin' to keep it off the pavement, got to be work! :o)
But... the guys at Silverthorne Power Sports took good care of me... Let me buy that peg off their New Bike... and then discounted a shirt 40% to boot! :o) Awesome... So... if you're ever in the Silverthorne area... on a Yamaha... and need some help... give 'em a ring... they might be able to keep you rolling too!
What I did learn from the trip was... My Raider is going to serve me just as superbly as I thought it would... for Motorcycle Touring the way I want to roll... Especially, once I get the Custom Saddle Bag mounts for it completed... and get the Saddle Bags Mounted!...
I'll also be shopping around for a small... to medium sized tail pack... to sit on that tail rack I added a couple weeks ago...
... 'cause... I'm workin' hard at tryin' to get her set up... for a mid summer run (end of July) to... ALASKA!
Suh-Wheet! :o)
Grab Your Handles and Ride!
Brian
Return to the Home page of Motorcycle Touring on Freedom Road
Visit our sister site goin' RV Boondocking
Share your stories and opinions;
*Tell us Which you think is the... The Best Touring Motorcycle
*Share... Your Personal Motorcycle Philosophy with us!
*Tell us about your... Great Motorcycle Roads
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Sometimes, You Just Have to Say; To Hell with it... Let's Ride!
... Which is what I did, Sunday...
There was work I really needed to do... Things that really should have got done... and I just couldn't... What I had to do... was get geared up, straddle that Raider... and roll.
West of here... "Here", being the plains, just north of Fort Collins lies the Front Range of the Rockie Mountains... surprised Huh? all up into those mountains, run one canyon after another... most with a road cut up through 'em.
Just ain't a better place to spend a sunny Sunday... well, OK... there might be... but we can't talk about that here! :o)
Anyhoo... I rolled over through Laporte, and Belvue... and on past Lory State park to hit the road that runs along the East side of Horsetooth Reservoir... and across the Dams that hold in the Lake...
You can't beat the scenery, and there's enough bends and twisties, to keep a man happy...
I hooked around the south end of the Lake, where the road turns west to go up to Masonville. That's the home of Nostalgic West Leather where I got my new chaps a couple weeks back.
You've got to make a choice there... North to Stove Prairie and Poudre Canyon... or South to Highway 34...
I chose South... refueled at the conoco just a bit east of where the road meets 34, and then turned back west to run up the Canyon of the Big Thompson river... toward Estes park... Part way up that canyon, at Drake you make a right and roll onto a narrower, twistier lil' road, that makes you grin... as you lean and bend your way to Glen Haven.
... and a perfect opportunity to sit on the porch of the Glen Haven General store... munchin' on a muffin, sippin' a hot cup, and watchin' the gawkers and bikers roll by... 'course, if you like to snoop 'round through junk an' treasures at lil' shops along the way... right 'cross the parking lot... is the "Pony Tracks" trading post...
... and You know they can't be all bad, not with an Ol' Red Harley settin' outside the front door! :o)
Well... the world was squallin' for me to get back to what I should be doin'... so I rolled back down the canyon... knees in the wind... wind in my face... scent of pine on the wind... canyon walls towering over it all... which succeeded in pushin' the world off, just a lil' longer...
.... givin' me time enough to make a stop for a single, cool, brew, while I sat in the sun and listened to the live band, at "The Hide Out" bar in Fort Collins...
The point? ... if you can't ride for a week... ride for a day... or whatever part of the day you can steal for yourself! ... It'll keep you goin' to get through the rest of "Those Days"...
Grab Your Handles and Ride!
Brian
Return to the Home page of Motorcycle Touring on Freedom Road
Visit our sister site goin' RV Boondocking
Share your stories and opinions;
*Tell us Which you think is the... The Best Touring Motorcycle
*Share... Your Personal Motorcycle Philosophy with us!
*Tell us about your... Great Motorcycle Roads
There was work I really needed to do... Things that really should have got done... and I just couldn't... What I had to do... was get geared up, straddle that Raider... and roll.
West of here... "Here", being the plains, just north of Fort Collins lies the Front Range of the Rockie Mountains... surprised Huh? all up into those mountains, run one canyon after another... most with a road cut up through 'em.
Just ain't a better place to spend a sunny Sunday... well, OK... there might be... but we can't talk about that here! :o)
Anyhoo... I rolled over through Laporte, and Belvue... and on past Lory State park to hit the road that runs along the East side of Horsetooth Reservoir... and across the Dams that hold in the Lake...
You can't beat the scenery, and there's enough bends and twisties, to keep a man happy...
I hooked around the south end of the Lake, where the road turns west to go up to Masonville. That's the home of Nostalgic West Leather where I got my new chaps a couple weeks back.
You've got to make a choice there... North to Stove Prairie and Poudre Canyon... or South to Highway 34...
I chose South... refueled at the conoco just a bit east of where the road meets 34, and then turned back west to run up the Canyon of the Big Thompson river... toward Estes park... Part way up that canyon, at Drake you make a right and roll onto a narrower, twistier lil' road, that makes you grin... as you lean and bend your way to Glen Haven.
... and a perfect opportunity to sit on the porch of the Glen Haven General store... munchin' on a muffin, sippin' a hot cup, and watchin' the gawkers and bikers roll by... 'course, if you like to snoop 'round through junk an' treasures at lil' shops along the way... right 'cross the parking lot... is the "Pony Tracks" trading post...
... and You know they can't be all bad, not with an Ol' Red Harley settin' outside the front door! :o)
Well... the world was squallin' for me to get back to what I should be doin'... so I rolled back down the canyon... knees in the wind... wind in my face... scent of pine on the wind... canyon walls towering over it all... which succeeded in pushin' the world off, just a lil' longer...
.... givin' me time enough to make a stop for a single, cool, brew, while I sat in the sun and listened to the live band, at "The Hide Out" bar in Fort Collins...
The point? ... if you can't ride for a week... ride for a day... or whatever part of the day you can steal for yourself! ... It'll keep you goin' to get through the rest of "Those Days"...
Grab Your Handles and Ride!
Brian
Return to the Home page of Motorcycle Touring on Freedom Road
Visit our sister site goin' RV Boondocking
Share your stories and opinions;
*Tell us Which you think is the... The Best Touring Motorcycle
*Share... Your Personal Motorcycle Philosophy with us!
*Tell us about your... Great Motorcycle Roads
Saturday, May 15, 2010
She Gets her Motorcycle Ticket... and First Thing She Does...
... is start movin' in on... MY... Motorcycle!!! Claims she's a licensed "Motorcycle Mama" now!
Stopped at the home of the Gal, who taught Heidi's motorcycle training class... She also does a lil' "sideline" selling of some Motorcycle clothing... and had shown Heidi a Touring/Cruising Jacket built by Teknic...
Looks pretty good don't it? The coat has armor in the back, shoulders and elbows for motorcycle riding safety... good ventilation, pockets to carry way too much junk... and the colors fit pretty well with her boots... but, it is... by God... MY... bike! :o)
Then... she started thinkin' 'bout head gear... She already has an HJC, Modular full face helmet...
But... you don't wear that at stops along the way... so she's been lookin' into more "Motorcycle Fashionable" headgear... We figure there's two options... a regular cap... or a Doo Rag...
Hmm...
... I'm kinda torn... Any Gals reading here? I kinda like the "Traditional" appeal of a Rag... kind of a balance with the "Modern" jacket... rather than the Traditional Motorcycle Leather... that I prefer... but... that Cap kinda shines a mite too, don't it? any opinions girls?... I told her she can keep the Rag on under her helmet, help keep the helmet cleaner... and... one stop shop for dealing with Helmet Hair!
One nice thing 'bout my current "Condition"... no hair to have any worries 'bout such things as "Helmet Hair!". :o)
...gotta go get the V Star in shape... before that Biker B_ _ ... uh... Mama!... Steals my Bike!
Grab Your Handles and Ride!
Brian
Return to the Home page of Motorcycle Touring on Freedom Road
Visit our sister site goin' RV Boondocking
Share your stories and opinions;
*Tell us Which you think is the... The Best Touring Motorcycle
*Share... Your Personal Motorcycle Philosophy with us!
*Tell us about your... Great Motorcycle Roads
Stopped at the home of the Gal, who taught Heidi's motorcycle training class... She also does a lil' "sideline" selling of some Motorcycle clothing... and had shown Heidi a Touring/Cruising Jacket built by Teknic...
Looks pretty good don't it? The coat has armor in the back, shoulders and elbows for motorcycle riding safety... good ventilation, pockets to carry way too much junk... and the colors fit pretty well with her boots... but, it is... by God... MY... bike! :o)
Then... she started thinkin' 'bout head gear... She already has an HJC, Modular full face helmet...
But... you don't wear that at stops along the way... so she's been lookin' into more "Motorcycle Fashionable" headgear... We figure there's two options... a regular cap... or a Doo Rag...
Hmm...
... I'm kinda torn... Any Gals reading here? I kinda like the "Traditional" appeal of a Rag... kind of a balance with the "Modern" jacket... rather than the Traditional Motorcycle Leather... that I prefer... but... that Cap kinda shines a mite too, don't it? any opinions girls?... I told her she can keep the Rag on under her helmet, help keep the helmet cleaner... and... one stop shop for dealing with Helmet Hair!
One nice thing 'bout my current "Condition"... no hair to have any worries 'bout such things as "Helmet Hair!". :o)
...gotta go get the V Star in shape... before that Biker B_ _ ... uh... Mama!... Steals my Bike!
Grab Your Handles and Ride!
Brian
Return to the Home page of Motorcycle Touring on Freedom Road
Visit our sister site goin' RV Boondocking
Share your stories and opinions;
*Tell us Which you think is the... The Best Touring Motorcycle
*Share... Your Personal Motorcycle Philosophy with us!
*Tell us about your... Great Motorcycle Roads
Friday, May 14, 2010
Can a Woman Ride a Motorcycle... Solo... to Alaska?
You betcha!
Now... lookin' at this gal... walkin' on the street... that's not the likely first impression you'd get... she's "Model pretty" ... and that right there would be your first mistake...
All "First Impressions" ... are best put in your back pocket, for a while... till you add enough more information... to make a judgment... that ain't gonna embarrass you, down the road a ways...
Watch her story of riding alone to Alaska, for a while... One Awesome, Gutsy, Motorcycle riding lady...
So... all you gals... don't give it up, if you've got the dream of rollin' your motorcycle to Alaska... just 'cause some bozo said that worn out Ol' garbage; "But, you're just a girl!"
Lookie here... one of my "Angels"... is a Sergeant in the United States Army... and boys, let me tell you... that lil' Blond gal has earned every stripe... and can surely whup my Ol' butt if she chose to! :o) ... the point is... I discounted her when I first met her... right up until she helped pull me out of a "Fire"...
That is one mistake, of judgment, I will never, ever, make again...
Grab Your Handles and Ride!
Brian
Return to the Home page of Motorcycle Touring on Freedom Road
Visit our sister site goin' RV Boondocking
Share your stories and opinions;
*Tell us Which you think is the... The Best Touring Motorcycle
*Share... Your Personal Motorcycle Philosophy with us!
*Tell us about your... Great Motorcycle Roads
Now... lookin' at this gal... walkin' on the street... that's not the likely first impression you'd get... she's "Model pretty" ... and that right there would be your first mistake...
All "First Impressions" ... are best put in your back pocket, for a while... till you add enough more information... to make a judgment... that ain't gonna embarrass you, down the road a ways...
Watch her story of riding alone to Alaska, for a while... One Awesome, Gutsy, Motorcycle riding lady...
So... all you gals... don't give it up, if you've got the dream of rollin' your motorcycle to Alaska... just 'cause some bozo said that worn out Ol' garbage; "But, you're just a girl!"
Lookie here... one of my "Angels"... is a Sergeant in the United States Army... and boys, let me tell you... that lil' Blond gal has earned every stripe... and can surely whup my Ol' butt if she chose to! :o) ... the point is... I discounted her when I first met her... right up until she helped pull me out of a "Fire"...
That is one mistake, of judgment, I will never, ever, make again...
Grab Your Handles and Ride!
Brian
Return to the Home page of Motorcycle Touring on Freedom Road
Visit our sister site goin' RV Boondocking
Share your stories and opinions;
*Tell us Which you think is the... The Best Touring Motorcycle
*Share... Your Personal Motorcycle Philosophy with us!
*Tell us about your... Great Motorcycle Roads
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
A Star Raider in the pelting rain... slogging through the mud to get home...
Weather... maybe it separates riders a bit.
A lot of the riders I know, maybe most... if it's raining, too cold, too windy... their bike is in the garage... only two things keep my motorcycle parked... the road iced up... or... the three miles to the pavement is too muddy to get there...
OK... three... the fuel tank is empty... and so is my wallet...
That bike seems sometimes... the only thing in this world, that I have any control of. When the crap this life throws at me, gets where I can't stand one more, freaking, ounce of it... I can climb on that bike, twist the throttle... find a lonely road... and maybe not hang a grin where the grimace was... but I can relax enough to breathe easy.
It has an almost magical power to "get me through"... till the next time.
When I say such a thing, or they see me, knees in the wind at 10 degrees... a lot of people around me just shake their heads, some ask "How? Why?"... and look puzzled when I try to explain... I know where the old saying comes from... "If I have to explain, You won't understand"... and I'm Ok with that...
Take away my Motorcycle, you might just as well put me in a box and nail the lid shut.
Something that "gets under my skin" though, is the often heard comment; "It's a lifestyle"... as if you can go out, buy a machine... festoon yourself with leather, other bits of "Motorcycle Culture"... and such... and suddenly "BE" that... "something"...
Like the fellas that buy a big hat, a silver buckle, some expensive boots... and call 'emselves... "Cowboy"... and here I wasted all those years, broken bones, and scars... Learning to Cowboy... when all I had to do was buy a few trinkets... If I'd only known... Damn!
Put on the leather... the buckled boots...You might be... a person riding on a Motorcycle... and I expect you'll enjoy it...but... the "Thing" I have difficulty putting into words is that elusive "Understanding" ... that, "If I have to explain it..."
Lots of riders... with that aching, gypsy hunger for the wind in their faces... know what I'm poking around and can't speak... they've not got the answer either... though the unspoken "Understanding" is still there...
Damn... rained all day yesterday... coming home was a first gear slog through the mud of that last stretch... snowed much of the night... have to ride the cage today...
Grab Your Handles and Ride!
Brian
Return to the Home page of Motorcycle Touring on Freedom Road
Visit our sister site goin' RV Boondocking
Share your stories and opinions;
*Tell us Which you think is the... The Best Touring Motorcycle
*Share... Your Personal Motorcycle Philosophy with us!
*Tell us about your... Great Motorcycle Roads
A lot of the riders I know, maybe most... if it's raining, too cold, too windy... their bike is in the garage... only two things keep my motorcycle parked... the road iced up... or... the three miles to the pavement is too muddy to get there...
OK... three... the fuel tank is empty... and so is my wallet...
That bike seems sometimes... the only thing in this world, that I have any control of. When the crap this life throws at me, gets where I can't stand one more, freaking, ounce of it... I can climb on that bike, twist the throttle... find a lonely road... and maybe not hang a grin where the grimace was... but I can relax enough to breathe easy.
It has an almost magical power to "get me through"... till the next time.
When I say such a thing, or they see me, knees in the wind at 10 degrees... a lot of people around me just shake their heads, some ask "How? Why?"... and look puzzled when I try to explain... I know where the old saying comes from... "If I have to explain, You won't understand"... and I'm Ok with that...
Take away my Motorcycle, you might just as well put me in a box and nail the lid shut.
Something that "gets under my skin" though, is the often heard comment; "It's a lifestyle"... as if you can go out, buy a machine... festoon yourself with leather, other bits of "Motorcycle Culture"... and such... and suddenly "BE" that... "something"...
Like the fellas that buy a big hat, a silver buckle, some expensive boots... and call 'emselves... "Cowboy"... and here I wasted all those years, broken bones, and scars... Learning to Cowboy... when all I had to do was buy a few trinkets... If I'd only known... Damn!
Put on the leather... the buckled boots...You might be... a person riding on a Motorcycle... and I expect you'll enjoy it...but... the "Thing" I have difficulty putting into words is that elusive "Understanding" ... that, "If I have to explain it..."
Lots of riders... with that aching, gypsy hunger for the wind in their faces... know what I'm poking around and can't speak... they've not got the answer either... though the unspoken "Understanding" is still there...
Damn... rained all day yesterday... coming home was a first gear slog through the mud of that last stretch... snowed much of the night... have to ride the cage today...
Grab Your Handles and Ride!
Brian
Return to the Home page of Motorcycle Touring on Freedom Road
Visit our sister site goin' RV Boondocking
Share your stories and opinions;
*Tell us Which you think is the... The Best Touring Motorcycle
*Share... Your Personal Motorcycle Philosophy with us!
*Tell us about your... Great Motorcycle Roads
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
What is The Safest Way to Lean a Motorcycle Around a Corner?
I found a link over on Motorcycle Philosophy that I thought I should pass on... There's a really superb diagram and explanation of the three ways of navigating a corner... and what I like is the "Real World" attention they pay to the skill...
That link is to an Outfit called LateralG and discusses what they call "Apexing"... a good read and makes a fella think a lil'...
Along that line... my wife just passed her Motorcycle Training course this weekend in Colorado... a good start for anyone wanting, or thinking they want to... Start "Riding their Own".
A reader sent me a couple links for Two Outfits, dedicated to improving the skills and safety of all riders... one is in the San Diego area, called, appropriately :o) San Diego Motorcycle Training
They actually offer a short rental program so students can gain some "On the road" experience after getting their license.
The other is the National Motorcycle Training Institute a non-profit, public benefit institution whose mission is to reduce the fatality and morbidity rate for motorcyclists.
Kind of a Fancy high-falutin' moniker... for a bunch of Bikers ain't it? :o)
Anyhoo... like many have said... All Motorcycle Riders know, they're gonna Die on that Motorcycle... the Object is to Die of Old Age... before that happens. :o)
Getting the proper training... learning... and practicing, the proper skills... will get a Biker... or a Bikerette... a long way down that Road... without the Road Rash!
Grab Your Handles and Ride!
Brian
Return to the Home page of Motorcycle Touring on Freedom Road
Visit our sister site goin' RV Boondocking
Share your stories and opinions;
*Tell us Which you think is the... The Best Touring Motorcycle
*Share... Your Personal Motorcycle Philosophy with us!
*Tell us about your... Great Motorcycle Roads
That link is to an Outfit called LateralG and discusses what they call "Apexing"... a good read and makes a fella think a lil'...
Along that line... my wife just passed her Motorcycle Training course this weekend in Colorado... a good start for anyone wanting, or thinking they want to... Start "Riding their Own".
A reader sent me a couple links for Two Outfits, dedicated to improving the skills and safety of all riders... one is in the San Diego area, called, appropriately :o) San Diego Motorcycle Training
They actually offer a short rental program so students can gain some "On the road" experience after getting their license.
The other is the National Motorcycle Training Institute a non-profit, public benefit institution whose mission is to reduce the fatality and morbidity rate for motorcyclists.
Kind of a Fancy high-falutin' moniker... for a bunch of Bikers ain't it? :o)
Anyhoo... like many have said... All Motorcycle Riders know, they're gonna Die on that Motorcycle... the Object is to Die of Old Age... before that happens. :o)
Getting the proper training... learning... and practicing, the proper skills... will get a Biker... or a Bikerette... a long way down that Road... without the Road Rash!
Grab Your Handles and Ride!
Brian
Return to the Home page of Motorcycle Touring on Freedom Road
Visit our sister site goin' RV Boondocking
Share your stories and opinions;
*Tell us Which you think is the... The Best Touring Motorcycle
*Share... Your Personal Motorcycle Philosophy with us!
*Tell us about your... Great Motorcycle Roads
Monday, May 10, 2010
A Favorite Motorcycle Road of Mine, in Northern Colorado...
... is the Canyon of the Cache La Poudre River. It has it all... tight twisties, long sweepers, Mountain Views, and quiet spots along the river to just cool out...
...and a couple places to collect a cup of coffee... my favorite being at Rustic.
On a sunny spring day... it does a soul good to just cruise up that canyon... it may not cure what ails you... permanently... but for a few hours?... You're doin' fine. Now, don't get me wrong, it don't really rise to what I'd call, "Spectacular" scenery... it's more like, a trusted friend... you don't get all giddy an' wired... you simply get... comfortable... it's just a place that wears well...
Though most of 'em close for the winter, the Roosevelt National Forest campgrounds are all pretty much open by Memorial day, I believe, and just west of Cameron Pass near Gould, is a KOA campground. Along with a Yurt outfit... If that's not your cup O' Joe... you roll on up and over Cameron pass...
...Which can be a lil' Cool in the spring! :o) So, gear up, it's still worth the ride!
... to Walden and turn either North, maybe to Wycolo or on to Saratoga, in Wyoming... or South to Grand Lake or Granby... and find yourself a warm bed in a motel...
South is a good choice... 'cause then you're set up to circle back up and over Rocky Mountain National Park in the morning... but again... that road closes all winter... what with the snow bein' twenty feet deep and all! ... so you'll want to find out if it's opened up yet, if your ride is in the spring...
A couple of things... I'd fuel at LaPorte, or Teds Place, before you start up... fuel is kinda scarce till you get to Walden... Don't worry about "Comfort Breaks"... there's plenty of N.F. outhouses at the campgrounds, all up the canyon...
So... from one Ol' Geezer... on a Big Red Bike...
...To all you folks needing some spirit healing...
Grab Your Handles and Ride!
Brian
Return to the Home page of Motorcycle Touring on Freedom Road
Visit our sister site goin' RV Boondocking
Share your stories and opinions;
*Tell us Which you think is the... The Best Touring Motorcycle
*Share... Your Personal Motorcycle Philosophy with us!
*Tell us about your... Great Motorcycle Roads
...and a couple places to collect a cup of coffee... my favorite being at Rustic.
On a sunny spring day... it does a soul good to just cruise up that canyon... it may not cure what ails you... permanently... but for a few hours?... You're doin' fine. Now, don't get me wrong, it don't really rise to what I'd call, "Spectacular" scenery... it's more like, a trusted friend... you don't get all giddy an' wired... you simply get... comfortable... it's just a place that wears well...
Though most of 'em close for the winter, the Roosevelt National Forest campgrounds are all pretty much open by Memorial day, I believe, and just west of Cameron Pass near Gould, is a KOA campground. Along with a Yurt outfit... If that's not your cup O' Joe... you roll on up and over Cameron pass...
... to Walden and turn either North, maybe to Wycolo or on to Saratoga, in Wyoming... or South to Grand Lake or Granby... and find yourself a warm bed in a motel...
South is a good choice... 'cause then you're set up to circle back up and over Rocky Mountain National Park in the morning... but again... that road closes all winter... what with the snow bein' twenty feet deep and all! ... so you'll want to find out if it's opened up yet, if your ride is in the spring...
A couple of things... I'd fuel at LaPorte, or Teds Place, before you start up... fuel is kinda scarce till you get to Walden... Don't worry about "Comfort Breaks"... there's plenty of N.F. outhouses at the campgrounds, all up the canyon...
So... from one Ol' Geezer... on a Big Red Bike...
Grab Your Handles and Ride!
Brian
Return to the Home page of Motorcycle Touring on Freedom Road
Visit our sister site goin' RV Boondocking
Share your stories and opinions;
*Tell us Which you think is the... The Best Touring Motorcycle
*Share... Your Personal Motorcycle Philosophy with us!
*Tell us about your... Great Motorcycle Roads
Saturday, May 8, 2010
OOPS... No Rubber... No Tire!
Stepped out of the fiver yesterday morning... thinking I had my day, pretty well planned out... Thought I was gonna run some errands... pick up another bit of "Jewelry" for my bike... yadda yadda yadda...
I should know by now; "Don't bother with planning!"... as I hit the ground from the steps, my eyes just happened to scan 'cross the back tire on My Star Raider... Uh Oh...
That Metzler 210 back tire had got pretty shabby lookin'... which I hadn't noticed... enough... I knew it was gettin' skinny, and would need new rubber soon... but now I could see a thin line or two, wearing in the center of the tire... uh... Way, too thin... :o) So... I rolled it to Fort Collins Motorsports to get that lil' fault corrected...
Now anyone who's bought one of them big tires recently knows... them suckers ain't cheap... I thought on goin' to the 240 that quite a few riders are opting for... but decided, at least for now, to just stay with the stock tire... and now the Red Raider is back to full health...
One reason I keep on goin' to Fort Collins Motorsports for service I need is, they take good care of me.
I've been 'Nicked' by a lot of "Dealerships" over the years... first thing you think, when you think "Dealership" is $$$, right? And, I'd have to say, that Motorcycle Dealerships aren't any different...
Truth is... I almost bought a Victory Vegas last fall... was right close to puttin' ink on paper... when I caught 'em sqeezing that turnip just a mite too hard... and they lost the deal...
I can't say the guys in Fort Collins are saints... but... a couple of times now, while doin' other work, they've found faults on my bikes, that I'd missed... made the repairs... and then, discounted the labor costs of that unexpected repair... nigh on to half... and that's what they did yesterday...
While replacing the tire, the mechanic found one loose, and one bolt completely missing off the exhaust mounting... the threads in one hole being buggered up a mite... they set that right, along with a couple other lil' adjustments... and did me right...
so... to me... that's pretty cool... and how you earn the trust of a customer.
What can I say... felt so good 'bout it... I went ahead and dropped another chunk of $$$ and picked up that piece of "Motorcycle Jewelry" I'd been planning on in the first place...
I'm outfitting it, slowly, to set it up for some long rides... today, I added the tail rack for the Yamaha, factory back rest... solid, chrome plated, billet aluminum... that bolts right into the rest... my ruck will sit there, making it useful for general day rides, as well as a good location for a small bag for my Long Rides.
Still cogitating on the Handlebars/Seat setup... at this point... I'm still wanting, to work out getting my butt... an inch and a half or so, closer to the bars... or the bars... an inch and a half closer to my butt...
I'm taking it slow... and bein' kind of picky I guess :o) ... I just can't find the bars or risers... that I like... Thing is... I like the look of the factory risers...
... and nothing else I've found... Looks, right to me... What I have found just seems a Loss of style and design... for the sake of a lil' bit of comfort... and what I want... is to improve the function... with No Loss of the style, and attitude of the bike. Kind of Whiney... huh? :o)
So... I'm pretty much decided to just take the bike back to Dan at Bitchn Stitchn... and get the drivers seat done, to match the pillion and back rest they already did for me...
I'll see how much Dan can get me moved, with the seat...and then figure the bars out, over a lil' more time.
Leastways, that's the plan this morning!... thing is... I don't have a lot of time... I have some big plans for this summer... years in the 'waiting'... so I gotta get that Raider Motorcycle, ready to roll!
Which is next? The Motorcycle saddle bags I think I've got figured out? ... or the Custom Motorcycle Drivers Seat?
Grab Your Handles and Ride!
Brian
Return to the Home page of Motorcycle Touring on Freedom Road
Visit our sister site goin' RV Boondocking
Share your stories and opinions;
*Tell us Which you think is the... The Best Touring Motorcycle
*Share... Your Personal Motorcycle Philosophy with us!
*Tell us about your... Great Motorcycle Roads
I should know by now; "Don't bother with planning!"... as I hit the ground from the steps, my eyes just happened to scan 'cross the back tire on My Star Raider... Uh Oh...
That Metzler 210 back tire had got pretty shabby lookin'... which I hadn't noticed... enough... I knew it was gettin' skinny, and would need new rubber soon... but now I could see a thin line or two, wearing in the center of the tire... uh... Way, too thin... :o) So... I rolled it to Fort Collins Motorsports to get that lil' fault corrected...
Now anyone who's bought one of them big tires recently knows... them suckers ain't cheap... I thought on goin' to the 240 that quite a few riders are opting for... but decided, at least for now, to just stay with the stock tire... and now the Red Raider is back to full health...
One reason I keep on goin' to Fort Collins Motorsports for service I need is, they take good care of me.
I've been 'Nicked' by a lot of "Dealerships" over the years... first thing you think, when you think "Dealership" is $$$, right? And, I'd have to say, that Motorcycle Dealerships aren't any different...
Truth is... I almost bought a Victory Vegas last fall... was right close to puttin' ink on paper... when I caught 'em sqeezing that turnip just a mite too hard... and they lost the deal...
I can't say the guys in Fort Collins are saints... but... a couple of times now, while doin' other work, they've found faults on my bikes, that I'd missed... made the repairs... and then, discounted the labor costs of that unexpected repair... nigh on to half... and that's what they did yesterday...
While replacing the tire, the mechanic found one loose, and one bolt completely missing off the exhaust mounting... the threads in one hole being buggered up a mite... they set that right, along with a couple other lil' adjustments... and did me right...
so... to me... that's pretty cool... and how you earn the trust of a customer.
What can I say... felt so good 'bout it... I went ahead and dropped another chunk of $$$ and picked up that piece of "Motorcycle Jewelry" I'd been planning on in the first place...
I'm outfitting it, slowly, to set it up for some long rides... today, I added the tail rack for the Yamaha, factory back rest... solid, chrome plated, billet aluminum... that bolts right into the rest... my ruck will sit there, making it useful for general day rides, as well as a good location for a small bag for my Long Rides.
Still cogitating on the Handlebars/Seat setup... at this point... I'm still wanting, to work out getting my butt... an inch and a half or so, closer to the bars... or the bars... an inch and a half closer to my butt...
I'm taking it slow... and bein' kind of picky I guess :o) ... I just can't find the bars or risers... that I like... Thing is... I like the look of the factory risers...
... and nothing else I've found... Looks, right to me... What I have found just seems a Loss of style and design... for the sake of a lil' bit of comfort... and what I want... is to improve the function... with No Loss of the style, and attitude of the bike. Kind of Whiney... huh? :o)
So... I'm pretty much decided to just take the bike back to Dan at Bitchn Stitchn... and get the drivers seat done, to match the pillion and back rest they already did for me...
I'll see how much Dan can get me moved, with the seat...and then figure the bars out, over a lil' more time.
Leastways, that's the plan this morning!... thing is... I don't have a lot of time... I have some big plans for this summer... years in the 'waiting'... so I gotta get that Raider Motorcycle, ready to roll!
Which is next? The Motorcycle saddle bags I think I've got figured out? ... or the Custom Motorcycle Drivers Seat?
Grab Your Handles and Ride!
Brian
Return to the Home page of Motorcycle Touring on Freedom Road
Visit our sister site goin' RV Boondocking
Share your stories and opinions;
*Tell us Which you think is the... The Best Touring Motorcycle
*Share... Your Personal Motorcycle Philosophy with us!
*Tell us about your... Great Motorcycle Roads
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Vintage Moto in Denver
If you're passing through Denver, and have any interest in Old Motorcycles... there's a neat lil' museum down on the corner of 28th and Walnut in the LoDo area.
Vintage Moto Museum has something over 190 old, looks to be mostly Italian motorcycles... restored and according to the fella taking care of 'em... all rideable...
I gotta say, lookin' at those bikes... I'll keep my Raider! :o)
Most of 'em seem to be built along the lines of a cafe racer... which don't appeal to me... but they do have one nice old 1949 Indian Scout that looks pretty cool.
I did find some inspiration checking out all the Vintage Motorcycles... Saddle Bags! ... If you've been reading here for any amount of time... you know I've been pondering what/how to put a proper set of motorcycle saddle bags on my Raider.. Well... I may have found the solution!...
What a ya think? Those would do pretty fine... don't you think? :o)
Not real sure just What somebody is gonna carry in them lil' suckers... but I suppose if you needed a kleenex or a bandaid...
The entrance fee, is a lil' high at $7... but... it is a fun deal to walk around and check out and compare the 'rides' from the middle of the last century... up to a few Racers that aren't very old at all...
Heidi's favorite was the "Bee"... Circa 1950... Typical German efficiency... carry a spare tire...
But... Like I said... I do believe I'll keep my Raider! :o)
So... 'bout all I can say is...
Grab Your Handles and Ride!
Brian
Return to the Home page of Motorcycle Touring on Freedom Road
Visit our sister site goin' RV Boondocking
Share your stories and opinions;
*Tell us Which you think is the... The Best Touring Motorcycle
*Share... Your Personal Motorcycle Philosophy with us!
*Tell us about your... Great Motorcycle Roads
Vintage Moto Museum has something over 190 old, looks to be mostly Italian motorcycles... restored and according to the fella taking care of 'em... all rideable...
I gotta say, lookin' at those bikes... I'll keep my Raider! :o)
Most of 'em seem to be built along the lines of a cafe racer... which don't appeal to me... but they do have one nice old 1949 Indian Scout that looks pretty cool.
Not real sure just What somebody is gonna carry in them lil' suckers... but I suppose if you needed a kleenex or a bandaid...
The entrance fee, is a lil' high at $7... but... it is a fun deal to walk around and check out and compare the 'rides' from the middle of the last century... up to a few Racers that aren't very old at all...
But... Like I said... I do believe I'll keep my Raider! :o)
So... 'bout all I can say is...
Grab Your Handles and Ride!
Brian
Return to the Home page of Motorcycle Touring on Freedom Road
Visit our sister site goin' RV Boondocking
Share your stories and opinions;
*Tell us Which you think is the... The Best Touring Motorcycle
*Share... Your Personal Motorcycle Philosophy with us!
*Tell us about your... Great Motorcycle Roads
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)